Just south of Tacoma before you reach Olympia is a great spot for birding at the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge. $3.00 per family entry fee. The refuge shares space with the hunters this time of year, so not all trails are accessible but are well-marked. Headed down the trail from the Visitors Center about 1pm. Encountered about a dozen people total while walking the north boardwalk out to the loop trail, and then back to the turnoff for the twin barns. Saw some beautiful birds and didn't need a scope. Mature and immature bald eagle, northern harrier, coopers hawk, ruby kinglets, chickadees, spotted towhee, tons of song sparrows, winter wrens, golden-crowned sparrows, bushtits, and the marsh at the two barns gave us glimpses of common and Eurasian widgeons, pintails, herons, shovelers, green wing teals, and more. Even with the trail around the west side of the refuge being closed, our meanderings lasted over 3 hours, and we arrived back at the visitors center at post-closing time (they close at 4pm). Gates are open till dusk so not a problem, tho. And off we went to the Prairie Hawk Inn (just south of the NWF) to warm up and enjoy some country hospitality. Penguin 12/30/2000

Spring has sprung. The birds were chirping and nesting, the otters swimming in the river. This is a great place to take leisurely hikers and children. No dogs allowed, sorry. Also, no bikes and no joggers. Rules. We had a great day enjoying some of the first warm weather of the year. Some eagles were playing tag above the mudflats and the herons were hanging out in their aerie above McAllister Creek. The crowds tend to get here later in the day, so go early. No problems with wet feet, most of the trail is on dikes or expensive boardwalk (fully accessible). There is also a great new visitor's center. There is a $3 fee per ""family"" which is a carload for singles. All the monies go to the reserve. The bird population is constantly changing since a lot of the population is migratory, so you'll probably see something different every time you go.